Akash Katoch

Dual Functional Sensing Mechanism in SnO2–ZnO Core–Shell Nanowires

We report a dual functional sensing mechanism for ultrasensitive chemoresistive sensors based on SnO2-ZnO core-shell nanowires (C-S NWs) for detection of trace amounts of reducing gases. C-S NWs were synthesized by a two-step process, in which core SnO2 nanowires were first prepared by vapor-liquid-solid growth and ZnO shell layers were subsequently deposited by atomic layer deposition. The radial modulation of the electron-depleted shell layer was accomplished by controlling its thickness. The sensing capabilities of C-S NWs were investigated in terms of CO, which is a typical reducing gas. At an optimized shell thickness, C-S NWs showed the best CO sensing ability, which was quite superior to that of pure SnO2 nanowires without a shell. The dual functional sensing mechanism is proposed as the sensing mechanism in these nanowires and is based on the combination of the radial modulation effect of the electron-depleted shell and the electric field smearing effect.

Extraordinary Improvement of Gas-Sensing Performances in SnO2 Nanofibers Due to Creation of Local p–n Heterojunctions by Loading Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets

We propose a novel approach to improve the gas-sensing properties of n-type nanofibers (NFs) that involves creation of local p-n heterojunctions with p-type reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanosheets (NSs). This work investigates the sensing behaviors of n-SnO2 NFs loaded with p-RGO NSs as a model system. n-SnO2 NFs demonstrated greatly improved gas-sensing performances when loaded with an optimized amount of p-RGO NSs. Loading an optimized amount of RGOs resulted in a 20-fold higher sensor response than that of pristine SnO2 NFs. The sensing mechanism of monolithic SnO2 NFs is based on the joint effects of modulation of the potential barrier at nanograin boundaries and radial modulation of the electron-depletion layer. In addition to the sensing mechanisms described above, enhanced sensing was obtained for p-RGO NS-loaded SnO2 NFs due to creation of local p-n heterojunctions, which not only provided a potential barrier, but also functioned as a local electron absorption reservoir. These mechanisms markedly increased the resistance of SnO2 NFs, and were the origin of intensified resistance modulation during interaction of analyte gases with preadsorbed oxygen species or with the surfaces and grain boundaries of NFs. The approach used in this work can be used to fabricate sensitive gas sensors based on n-type NFs.

An approach to detecting a reducing gas by radial modulation of electron-depleted shells in core–shell nanofibers

Based on the radial modulation of electron-depleted shell layers in SnO2–ZnO core–shell nanofibers (CSNs), a novel approach is proposed for the detection of very low concentrations of reducing gases. In this work, SnO2–ZnO CSNs were synthesized by a two-step process: core SnO2 nanofibers were first prepared by electrospinning, followed by the preparation of ZnO shell layers by atomic layer deposition. The radial modulation of electron depletion in the CSN shells was accomplished by controlling the shell thickness. The sensing capabilities of CSNs were investigated with respect to CO and NO2 that represent typical reducing and oxidizing gases, respectively. In the case of CO at a critical shell thickness, the CSN-based sensors showed greatly improved sensing capabilities compared with those fabricated on the basis of either pure SnO2 or pure ZnO nanofibers. In sharp contrast, CSN sensors revealed inferior sensing capabilities for NO2. The results can be explained by a model based on the radial modulation of the electron-depleted CSN shells. The model suggests that CSNs comprising dissimilar materials having different energy-band structures represent an effective sensing platform for the detection of low concentrations of reducing gases when the shell thickness is equivalent to the Debye length.

Bifunctional Sensing Mechanism of SnO2-ZnO Composite Nanofibers for Drastically Enhancing the Sensing Behavior in H2 Gas.

SnO2-ZnO composite nanofibers fabricated using an electrospinning method exhibited exceptional hydrogen (H2) sensing behavior. The existence of tetragonal SnO2 and hexagonal ZnO nanograins was confirmed by an analysis of the crystalline phase of the composite nanofibers. A bifunctional sensing mechanism of the composite nanofibers was proposed in which the combined effects of SnO2-SnO2 homointerfaces and ZnO-SnO2 heterointerfaces contributed to an improvement in the H2 sensing characteristics. The sensing process with respect to SnO2-ZnO heterojunctions is associated not only with the high barrier at the junctions, but also the semiconductor-to-metallic transition on the surface of the ZnO nanograins upon the introduction of H2 gas.

TiO2/ZnO Inner/Outer Double-Layer Hollow Fibers for Improved Detection of Reducing Gases

TiO2/ZnO double-layer hollow fibers (DLHFs) are proposed as a superior sensor material in comparison to regular single-layer hollow fibers (HFs) for the detection of reducing gases. DLHFs were synthesized on sacrificial polymer fibers via atomic layer deposition of a first layer of TiO2 followed by a second layer of ZnO and by a final thermal treatment. The inner TiO2 receives electrons from the ZnO outer layer, which becomes more resistive due to the significant loss of electrons. This highly resistive ZnO layer partially regains its original resistivity when exposed to reducing gases such as CO, thus enabling more resistance variation in DLHFs. DLHFs are a novel material compared to HFs and can be successfully employed to fabricate chemical sensors for the accurate detection of reducing gases.

Prominent Reducing Gas-Sensing Performances of n-SnO2 Nanowires by Local Creation of p–n Heterojunctions by Functionalization with p-Cr2O3 Nanoparticles

A novel approach to improving the reducing gas-sensing properties of n-type nanowires (NWs), by locally creating p-n heterojunctions with p-type nanoparticles (NPs), is proposed. As a model system, this work investigates the sensing behaviors of n-SnO2 NWs functionalized with p-Cr2O3 NPs. Herein, n-SnO2 NWs demonstrate greatly improved reducing gas-sensing performance when functionalized with p-Cr2O3 NPs. Conversely, such functionalization deteriorates the oxidizing gas-sensing properties of n-SnO2 NWs. These phenomena are closely related to the local suppression of the conduction channel of n-type NWs, in the radial direction, beneath the p-n heterojunction by the flow of charge carriers. The approach used in this work can be used to fabricate sensitive reducing-gas sensors based on n-type NWs.

Bi-functional mechanism of H2S detection using CuO–SnO2 nanowires

In this study, a bi-functional mechanism is proposed and validated, which may be used to explain all of the reported experimental observations and to predict new sensing control parameters. Fast response and recovery in H2S sensing was then realized by using bi-functional SnO2 nanowires which have been radially modulated with CuO. Firstly, Cu metal nanoparticles were synthesized by applying γ-ray radiolysis. The Cu nanoparticles (attached to the surface of the SnO2 nanowires) were oxidized to the CuO phase by a thermal treatment at 500 °C in air. The H2S sensing characteristics of the CuO-functionalized SnO2 nanowires were compared with those of bare SnO2 nanowires. The results demonstrated that γ-ray radiolysis is an effective means of functionalizing the surface of oxide nanowires with CuO nanoparticles, and CuO functionalization greatly enhanced the ability of the SnO2 nanowires to detect H2S in terms of the response and recovery times. In addition, two control parameters, a 0.5 CuO to SnO2 surface ratio and a sensing temperature range of 80–220 °C, are predicted. The radially modulated nanostructures achieve two functions: (1) the formation and break-away of p–n (CuO–SnO2) junctions, and (2) the formation and dissolution of CuS using CuO–SnO2 solid solutions.

Highly sensitive and selective H2 sensing by ZnO nanofibers and the underlying sensing mechanism.

We report, and propose a mechanism for, the exceptional hydrogen gas (H2) sensing ability of ZnO nanofibers. In comparison to SnO2 nanofibers, ZnO nanofibers show outstanding H2 gas response and unmistakable H2 selectivity. Different from the reducing gas effect observed in SnO2 nanofibers, a semiconductor-to-metal transition that occurs in the presence of H2 gas molecules is responsible for the exceptional response and selectivity of ZnO nanofibers to H2. Notably, the presence of nanograins within nanofibers further intensifies the resistance modulation observed due to this transition.

Mechanism and prominent enhancement of sensing ability to reducing gases in p/n core-shell nanofiber.

We have devised a sensor system comprising p-CuO/n-ZnO core-shell nanofibers (CS nanofibers) for the detection of reducing gases with a very low concentration. The CS nanofibers were prepared by a two-step process as follows: (1) synthesis of core CuO nanofibers by electrospinning, and (2) subsequent deposition of uniform ZnO shell layers by atomic layer deposition. We have estimated the sensing capabilities of CS nanofibers with respect to CO gas, revealing that the thickness of the shell layer needs to be optimized to obtain the best sensing properties. It is found that the p-CuO/n-ZnO CS structures are suitable for detecting reducing gases at extremely low concentrations. The associated sensing mechanism is proposed on the basis of the radial modulation of an electron-depleted region in the shell layer.

Grain-Size-Tuned Highly H2-Selective Chemiresistive Sensors Based on ZnO–SnO2 Composite Nanofibers

We investigated the effect of grain size on the H2-sensing behavior of SnO2-ZnO composite nanofibers. The 0.9SnO2-0.1ZnO composite nanofibers were calcined at 700 °C for various times to control the size of nanograins. A bifunctional sensing mechanism, which is related not only to the SnO2-SnO2 nanograins, but also to the ZnO-SnO2 nanograins with surface metallization effect, is responsible for the grain-oriented H2-sensing properties and the selective improvement in sensing behavior to H2 gas compared to other gases. Smaller grains are much more favorable for superior H2 sensing in SnO2-ZnO composite nanofibers, which will be an important guideline for their use in H2 sensors. The one-dimensional nanofiber-based structures in the present study will be efficient in maximizing the sensing capabilities by providing a larger amount of junctions.